I have this day received your obliging Letter of the twenty first of February, inclosing a Co[py] of a proposed Dedication1

Your request of my permission to dedic[ate] to me, the Second Edition of your View of Religion is very flattering to me: because, although I am ash[amed] to acknowledge I have never Seen the Book, I kn[ow] its reputation to be very respectable, not only in [this] country but in Europe.

Although I am conscious that Some of the Compliments intended me, have not been so well merited, [as] I wish they had been, I shall leave to your inclination and discretion every thing of that kind: only requesti[ng] that all Titles literary or political be omitt[ed] and that the Address may be only John Adams V[ice]-President of the United States of America.

If you please you may add my name [into the] List of your subscribers for three Copies of your book

You and I are undoubtedly related by Birth, although personally unknown to each other, and although We were both “born in humble obscurity,” yet I presume neither of Us have any Cause to regret that Circumstance. If I could ever Suppose that Family Pride were in 9 any Case excuseable, I should think a descent from a line of virtuous independent New England farmers, for 160 years, were a better foundation for it, than a descent through royal or noble Scoundrels ever since the flood.

I am, Miss Adams very Sincerly your / well Wisher, and with great Esteem / your most humble servant

I received your Favor of the 18th. Febr̃̃y and the valuable Present of Books you were so obliging as to send me.—1 I have received much Pleasure and Instruction from your Defence of the American Constitutions; and I am fully of Opinion that the great Offices of Government should afford the most ample Compensation; and thereby invite the Services of the first Characters in the Nation.—

How far it may be requisite, in the next Century, to continue the two first Branches of the Legislature for Life, or render these Offices hereditary, Experience only can evince.— The open manly manner, in which you have offered your Sentiments on the best Form of Government, and nobly hazarded your established Popularity, must command the Respect of every liberal Man, whether he approves your Opinion or not.—

The Papers I sent you relative to the Slave Trade were chiefly written by my Friend Mr. Edwards, whose Abilities have been often exerted in promoting the Welfare of the late British Colonies.— I am aware that in writing on the African Commerce I may receive much less Attention, North of the Delaware, than may be found to the Southward.— I understand the virtuous Quakers are more disposed to receive Money for their Negroes, than to give them their Freedom:— In this Way they “assume a Virtue, when they have it not.”—2

We know from the highest Authority that the Prospect of a better World would hardly reconcile a rich Man to “Sell all he had and give to the Poor,”—3 This Trial of his Faith was very distressing— The 10 Man was sorrowful,—for he was very rich.— For my own part I consider the Emancipation of Slaves as a visionary Project, at present; and am willing to compound the Matter, by meliorating their Condition; which will make them more happy; or, if you please, less wretched than I found them.— I will expect no more from you, on this point, than to admit it as a negative Virtue.—

The Zeal of the English Reformers is not according to Knowledge:— They do not consider that the Progress from Slavery to Liberty is very slow, and can only be effected by a gradual Change in the Minds of Slaves, derived from a progressive Elevation of their Condition:— Give the Slaves in Jamaica their Liberty, and they will exterminate the white People—consume all the Provisions—and then, with a few Banditti, probably ravage the American Coast, for a further Supply:— Men without Ambition will have no Industry.— Your superior Knowledge of the nature of things will, I think, induce you to admit that Men mislead themselves, by not regarding properly the Tendency of the Cause, which produces the Effect.— When a Man who has been free, becomes a Slave; he regrets the Situation of which he has been deprived.— The Case is reversed in an African sent from a despotic Government, without Controul in the Prince or Chieftain, to a Country where the Slave holder is restricted by Laws.— In the latter Case there is much Cause for Joy and Satisfaction.— The great Error is in applying the Delicacy of our Sensibility to their Feelings:—for altho’ to him who has enjoyed Liberty, there can be no Happiness without it; yet a Slave, not being harshly treated, is satisfied with his Situation. It is moreover a Question whether the Master, whose Mind is enslaved by his Passions and the Urgency of imaginary Wants, is more happy than the Slave, whose Habits of Labour have humbled his Temper to his Situation; and whose Wishes extend no further than the Necessities of the Moment.— The Condition of the Negroes having been much considered, of late Years, has occasioned many very favorable Regulations; and the most extensive Benefit is daily arising from this humane Attention.— Their Situation is far removed from Misery and Wretchedness—they are chearful and contented.—

Happiness, in all Countries, depends chiefly on Opinion.— The Cobler whistles o’er his Work—eats his humble Meal, and then sleeps quietly on his Bed of Straw.— A Monarch may be proud of his Dignity,—but Churchill tells us “Sleep was not made for Kings.”—4

I will dwell no longer on this Subject, having trespassed so much 11 already on your Attention; and I know so much of your Opinion, by reading your late Publications, that I suppose you will ascribe my Arguments, such as they are, rather to the Avarice of the Planter than the real Opinion of a Moralist.—

I thank you for your Politeness in delivering my Packet to the President, who has done me the Honour to acknowledge the Receipt of it, by a Line from his Secretary, Mr. Lear.—5

My Son is in the Law-Line with Messrs. Farmer and Moore.—6 The Profession is lucrative and very respectable in this Country.— If I give him a good Estate, he will know how to keep it—if otherwise he can provide for himself.— It may be truly said that the West Indies are the Sport of the Winds.— I have suffered very much by Storms; but of late Years the Crops have been very favorable, and our Prospects are pleasing.—

Mrs. Fitch has been very ill, but is so much recovered in her Health that She has no Thoughts of leaving the Island.—7

No Family has more agreable Accomodations than We have,—possessing a very good House in Town and two pleasant Seats in the Country—

Our Fruits are not in Season, but I hope to send you some in a short Time.— I shall be always very happy to hear of the Welfare of your Family, and beg you will do me the Favor to offer my best Respects to Mrs. Adams, to the Col: and Mrs. Smith and the young Gentlemen, your Sons; the eldest in particular, to whose Attention I owe my best Acknowledgments.—

Mrs. Fitch begs that her most kind Regards may be offered with mine, wishing you all that Happiness, which Friendship and our Family-Connection can induce us to wish, to you and yours.—

I am truly, Dear Sir, with the highest Esteem, / Your faithful & Mo. Obedt. Servt